Classic Adventure Movie: Or Never Say Die
Written by Keating
Based on a Concept by Rachel Tibbetts, Keating, and Cassidy Flynn
Directed by Rachel Tibbetts
SATE Ensemble Theatre
September 12, 2025
Keating, Ricki Franklin, Cassidy Flynn, Ashwini Arora
Photo by Joey Rumpell
SATE Ensemble Theatre
Remember The Goonies? Maybe you do, and maybe you don’t, but it’s clear that Richard Donner’s 1985 film–with a script by Chris Columbus based on a story by Steven Spielberg–has become a modern classic, especially for Gen X and the Millennial generation. With a cast made up of performers of various ages and experiences, SATE explores the story of the movie in its own madcap way, while also–in a style reminiscent of their earlier show First Impressions–allowing moments for the cast members to reflect on the “classic adventure movies” that shaped their own lives. The end result–Classic Adventure Movie: Or Never Say Die–is full of action, humor, reflection, enthusiasm, nostalgia, and ultimately a whole lot of fun.
What’s especially fun about this show is that, even if you haven’t seen the film or if, like me, you haven’t seen it since it first came out in theatres, you’ll probably still be able to follow this show fairly easily. The Goonies story is told, essentially, but with revisions and references to other films and stories, with occasional nostalgic breaks as the cast members tell of the films that shaped their lives, from more obvious selections like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial to perhaps more surprising fare like Under the Tuscan Sun, and covering many decades of cinematic history, with a high concentration on movies from the 1990s and early 2000s.
The adventure theme is present throughout, as the “Goonies”–an “outcast” group of kids and teens in their small Oregon town–find a treasure map apparently made by a long-lost pirate called One-Eyed Willy. The kids, led by Mikey (Ricki Franklin), Mouth (Cassidy Flynn), Chunk (Keating) and Data (Ashwini Arora) go on a quest to find the map with the hopes that the treasure will help them save their homes, which are slated to be demolished in order to build a Top Golf. Soon, the group finds themselves at odds with the criminal Fratelli family–brothers Jake (Anthony Kramer-Moser) and Francis (Victor Mendez) and their bossy Mama (LaWanda Jackson), who hope to find the treasure for themselves. They also are eventually joined by Mikey’s older brother Brand (Carl Overly, Jr.), Brand’s cheerleader crush Andy (Hailey Medrano), and Andy’s best friend Steph (Marcy Wiegert), along with appearances by fellow cheerleaders Barb (Katie Donnelly) and Lizzie (Courtney Bailey) and superstar pop singer Cyndi Lauper (Frankie Ferrari), who gets to play a much bigger part in this show than the cameo appearance she had in the film.
There’s a lot going on here, with fun moments of humor and pop-culture references, and especially strong ensemble chemistry with no weak links in the cast. The four main Goonies are standouts, with some excellent moments from everyone else as well, and Ferrari seemingly having a blast playing Lauper and getting to lead the cast in an energetic rendition of one of Lauper’s hit songs. The nostalgia moments are fun, as well, exploring the very real way film has come to shape the lives of so many throughout the generations, and how “adventure” can mean different things to different people.
The performance space at The Chapel has been used to maximum benefit by means of Erik Kuhn’s imaginative and detailed set, decorated with movie posters and nostalgic artifacts. Also noteworthy are Katie Leemon’s memorable props, the marvelous lighting by by Denisse Chavez and excellent sound by Ellie Schwetye that helps keep up the overall nostalgic and adventurous tone of the show. Liz Henning’s costumes are also excellent, adding a lot of nostalgic fun to the story and suiting the characters and overall tone especially well.
This is another hit from SATE. This company is great at what it does, with a quirkier take on theatre that also highlights creativity, imagination, intelligence, and heart. With a clever script by Keating, fast-paced direction by Rachel Tibbetts, and a first-rate cast who all seem to be having a fantastic time, this is a show that entertains with a lot of energy and charm. It’s a real adventure of a comedy, with loads of nostalgic charm and style.
Cast of Classic Adventure Movie: Or Never Say Die
Photo by Joey Rumpell
SATE Ensemble Theatre
SATE Ensemble Theatre is presenting Classic Adventure Movie: Or Never Say Die at The Chapel until September 27, 2025